What will our favorite wine of 2010 be?  Why, the wine that offers the best value, of course! If you're like me, a recession doesn't for a second mean consuming less wine.  What a preposterous idea!  No, if you're like me, you're honing your bargain-hunting skills, and finding new and inventive ways to spend less without sacrificing quality.  Because sharing the love, (and the wine), is on my list of New Year's resolutions, I thought I might share my top five tips for finding the best value when buying wine.  Because I always write more than I originally intend, I've broken my tips down into a five article series.  What follows is the first article, and tip number one!   

Tip #1

Explore a Brave New World!

You've probably heard the terms 'New World' and 'Old World' bandied about by wine geeks aplenty.     Never been quite sure exactly what they mean?   Although lines between the two are blurring, wine will probably forever be categorized by these terms.  Quite simply, Old World wine refers to wine made in the original European wine making countries, as well as a few other regions such as North Africa and the Near East. Inversely, New World wine refers primarily to wine made in newer wine regions such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America.  Typically the term refers not only to the origin of the wine, but also to slightly different styles of wine making.  In very general terms, the Old World emphasizes tradition and terroir, while the New World is said to focus more on science and the winemaker's role.  Keep in mind that these are very general terms and that New World wines can very easily boast Old World characteristics, and vice versa.  For example, a winemaker in Oregon who borrows his technique from Burgundy to produce a lean, acid based Pinot Noir may be labeled a New World producer making Pinot in an Old World style.

OK, so now that we're clear on the difference, allow me to elaborate on one of the key characteristics of a New World wine: a much lower price tag! Generally speaking, New World wines are significantly cheaper than their Old World counterparts.  For the sake of this article, I'll be focusing on New World wines in the geographic sense, so I'll be addressing values to be found in South America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.  I'll elaborate on a few suggestions to help you narrow the search for New World wines.  Instead of recommending specific producers, I'll address each country, (or continent, in the case of South America), individually, and single out some key regions that I feel represent good value.  This approach should be more helpful than singling out specific producers, as it will allow you to browse the shelves of your local retailer armed with some general rules designed to help you make educated decisions rather than frantically searching for a specific wine. Let's begin!

The United States

California:
Napa Cabernet doesn't exactly qualify as a bargain, but there are plenty of other great wines from up and coming regions in California where value can still be found.  In the spirit of brevity I'll only mention a few that have recently caught my attention.  I think that out of all of the New World territories Americans are the most educated about California and are probably less in need of suggestions. This is in no way meant to be a comprehensive list of California wine regions.

That said, if Syrah and other Rhone varietals are your poison, look to Paso Robles or Santa Ynez.  Paso Robles is one of the fastest growing wine regions in the world, and home to some of the best values in California wine.  Rhone varietals are really taking off there, so if you're looking for a Rhone Valley alternative, be ahead of the curve and ask your retailer for a straight Syrah or GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) from Paso.  If Zinfandel is what you crave, look to Paso Robles again, or Dry Creek Valley, home to some of the top vineyard sites and the perfect, (yes, dry!), climate for Zinfandel.    If its Pinot Noir you seek, head to the Santa Rita Hills.  Coastal vineyards in these hills are often covered by a thick layer of fog, creating one of the coolest spots in California, which is perfect for Pinot Noir.  Great Chardonnay can be found here as well.  Both tend to get a little pricey but I still mention them because compared to Burgundy it is, of course, no contest.  Finally, one last region in California that recently struck me as one of the best values is Mendocino County.  Within Mendocino County two sub-regions in particular stand out for their great value to quality ratio.  The first, Anderson Valley, is producing some fairly simple yet high quality Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and even a few Gewurztraminers of note.  The second, Mendocino Ridge is singled out for its ability to produce fully ripened Cabernet, and surprisingly good Merlot.

Oregon and Washington certainly deserve a mention when speaking about the New World.  Oregon is mostly noted for Pinot Noir, the best hailing from Willamette Valley.   If Cabernet is what you seek, head north to Washington.  Columbia Valley is home to some of the most sought after Cabernet vineyards in the US, and producers ask a much fairer price than their colleagues in Napa.  Stunning Syrah originates from the same region, and both Chardonnay and Riesling are steadily improving.  

Australia:
I'd be remiss if I didn't start in South Australia, home to the best expression of Australia's signature varietal Shiraz, (Syrah in any other country).  In South Australia the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale are clear leaders and the surest bet if you're intent on Australian Shiraz.  Shiraz may rule the roost, but there are several other grapes finding great success. Did you know that South Australia is home to some of the best dry Rieslings in the world?  My favorite examples can be found in either Clare or Eden Valley.  The style mirrors that of Riesling from Alsace, but comes at fraction of the price of their French counterparts.  Not far, in the Adelaide Hills, stunning examples of cooler-climate Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and even Pinot Noir defy detractors who think that only big, alcoholic reds can be found in Oz.  In the same state, but further south, Cabernet finds a relatively new home in Coonawarra, and has won rave reviews.  

In Western Australia a wine region called Margaret River is steadily gaining worldwide fame.  Wineries in Margaret River are mainly boutique sized, a good indicator that care is taken with each grape and quality is high.  A similar climate to Bordeaux, (in dry years), has paved the way for both Cabernet and  Sauvignon Blanc/ Semillon blends to make a name for themselves.  The ever-present Shiraz also makes its mark here.  Overall, I find the whites to be the best value from Margaret River.

Moving east, to New South Wales, Semillon and Shiraz reappear from the region's stars, Hunter Valley and Canberra, respectively.  And finally, down South, in the state of Victoria, the Yarra Valley stands out for producing  outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  Not to be forgotten, (although rarely available in the US), Tasmania has developed quite a reputation for sparkling wines, so if you happen upon it, go for it!

New Zealand:
Most wine drinkers think the same thing when they think of New Zealand: Sauvignon Blanc!  And yes, that's the safest, surest value when it comes to buying wine from 'The Land of the Big Sky.'  If it is Sauvignon Blanc you're after, its made on both the north and the south island, but the best value, without a doubt, comes from Marlborough.  What most Americans don't know, however, is that New Zealand has been producing high quality reds for decades.  Quantities remain small compared to the enormous volume of Sauvignon Blanc, but word must be getting out, as more Kiwi reds are making an appearance.  

When I think of New Zealand reds, I think of one region: Hawkes Bay.  On the southeast coast of the North Island, Hawkes Bay is home to the oldest winery in New Zealand, and was the key wine growing region before Marlborough became a superstar in the 1970s.  Hawkes Bay makes incredible Chardonnay, but in the spirit of red, scour the shelves for a Cabernet Sauvignon blend or a Syrah.  Hawkes Bay built its red-reputation on Bordeaux blends, but my personal preference, and the rising star, is Syrah from this warm and dependable region.  

The famously finicky grape Pinot Noir is also being properly produced in a couple of key regions.  From the north island, in the Wellington and Wairarapa region, producers in and around the town of Martinborough are making world class Pinots.  The area is gaining quite a name for itself, and both Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnays are proving to be safer and safer bets.  The other region now known for Pinot Noir is the cold-climate Central Otago, which can be found at the base of the Southern Alps on the south island.  Central Otago is also starting to gain notoriety for its cold-climate whites, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling.  

South Africa:
It seems a bit ironic that South Africa is labeled a New World wine country considering vines were planted there as early as 1655.  The South African wine industry has suffered a series of disastrous setbacks over the coarse of its history, however, and has only recently re-emerged on the international scene as a serious player.  The country seems to be struggling still to find a definitive South African style as international varietals replace less suitable ones originally planted to produce volume rather than quality.  Until this changeover is complete, I find it difficult to recommend sure bets, and think its better to give a brief overview and let you experiment at will.  
That is the New World spirit after all, no?  
South Africa's key wine growing regions are located in the southwest corner, along the cape. Paarl and Stellenbosch stand out as the most reliable for quality with of the longest wine making histories in South Africa.  In both regions Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc,  and Chardonnay take center stage for whites.  For reds, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah or Shiraz, and Pinotage take center stage.

What is Pinotage?  Pinotage reserves the distinction of being South Africa's own creation, as it was  created from cross-breeding Pinot Noir with the Rhone varietal Cinsault by South Africa's own Abraham Izac Perold in 1925.  If this is a new varietal to you, you can expect the berry and fruit flavors of Pinot Noir and the fruit-spiciness of Cinsault.  It is widely planted in South Africa, and has not yet found a real home anywhere else.  Prices are typically modest, so experimenting with a bottle is a great way to try something totally different and exotic without making a huge financial commitment!

Not to be forgotten, the West and South coasts of South Africa are coming online in a major way.  The West coast boasts bold, ageable reds from Swartland, fresh whites from Darling, and racy reds from Tulbagh.  The South coast is experimenting with cooler-climate varieties, and Elim in particular has lately been noted for its award winning Sauvignon Blanc.


South America:
Behold the best value in the New World.  Although wine production in South America is centuries old, its wine has only really made an impact on foreign markets in the past decade.  Prices are still incredibly reasonable as quality improves exponentially, giving South American wine by far the best quality to price ratio to consumers.  Chile and Argentina are the top two exporters of wine in South America.  

Chile:
Chile is a land of extreme climates and varies greatly from north to south.  The highest quality vineyards are all found in the middle of the country  where the climate is said to be right in-between those of France and California.  Cabernet, the most widely planted grape in Chile, is found all over, with some of the best examples coming from Maipo, the oldest wine region in Chile.  The resulting Cabernet takes on a distinctive soft and smoky character,  and is often labeled easy-drinking.   Another grape experiencing great success in Chile is the old Bordeaux varietal Carmenére, which, for many years was confused with Merlot.  Its recent correct identification was an important step for Chile and producers have adopted it as their signature variety, nicely carving a niche into foreign markets.  If you've never experienced  Carmenére, it is full-flavored, soft, and plummy. The two whites I'd recommend from Chile are, once again, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.  I specifically like the whites from Casablanca Valley, a region which is also starting to show promise for Pinot Noir.  

Argentina:
In Argentina, Malbec rules.  A disaster in France, the Bordeaux varieta is a smashing success in Argentina.  The southern hemisphere sun perfectly ripens the grape and releases flavors it can't possibly achieve in France,  thereby proving undoubtedly that Malbec has found its right home.  Argentina's characteristic white, Torrontés, is another interesting grape, which, handled correctly, can produce a very fresh and aromatic white wine. Think Sauvignon Blanc, but more tropical.  Like Chile, don't bother memorizing regions yet.  As of now, almost two thirds of Argentina's vines are planted in or around the Mendoza region, which is most typically what you'll find on the label of an Argentinian wine.  Although Malbec and Torrontés are the safest and surest bets from Argentina right now, there is a surprisingly diverse list of grapes under vine in this South American country.  For now Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, and Chardonnay lead the way in 'other' grapes.  Remember, the approachability in these wines lies in their affordability.  If you see one of these lesser known grape/country combinations, such as a Tempranillo from Argentina, there is little to stop you from trying it.  In this spirit we're not only broadening our palettes, but encouraging a foreign country to export more of their delicious wine at an affordable price!

Hopefully, this general guide to the New World will help as you hone your 'budget consumption' skills! This guide is designed to help you more confidently buy wines that are less familiar to you by creating a smaller margin for error.  We all have less to spend these days on purely 'experimental' bottles, but still want to experiment. I believe there is a profound benefit to the world focusing on value in tough times.  As we consumers put a stronger emphasis on value and become more diligent in our quest for fabulous wines for less money, we are forced to become more educated.  A more educated demographic has a louder voice, and producers are forced to take note by producing higher quality wine and pricing it to sell.  As wine becomes more of a global phenomena, and interest and passion increases the world over, producers have no choice but to make wine more accessible.  Education, value wines, and more open lines of communication between professionals and consumers are all going to contribute to what should be our ultimate goal: more people enjoying higher quality wine at a lower price.  Let's call it, 'The Circle of Wine.'

**Stay tuned for Article #2 in a five article series on finding the most value out of wine:

Want to Explore the Old World?  Grab Your 'Cotes'!

And please, if you feel I've missed an important region or grape, let us know!  It's all about sharing the knowledge, and the love, so give us your input.  Or, if you have a favorite New World wine, share it as well!